Life expectancy among individuals with SCI has increased such that many people with SCI are surviving into older adulthood. An obstacle to understanding how quality of life (QoL) evolves over time in the context of aging with SCI is that SCI research has largely been cross-sectional or circumscribed to examining ...
This module project aims to assess the potential of spasticity and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as biomarkers of neurologic and functional recovery in patients with subacute spinal cord injury (SCI). Accurate prediction of neurologic and functional recovery of individuals with SCI is important for clinical and research applications. The ...
This module project aims to (a) examine racial/ethnic differences in racial/ethnic-, disability-, and gender role-identities among people with SCI, (b) analyze identity-based experiences of marginalization including healthcare experiences, and (c) evaluate the extent that these variables account for racial/ethnic disparities in SCI rehabilitation outcomes. Black and Hispanic individuals with ...
History The Spinal Cord Injury Model System (SCIMS) program was started in 1970 to improve the care and outcomes for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). To accomplish this, Dr. John Young obtained a Federal grant ...
Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a type of unintentional injury that often is preceded by high risk behaviors and results in lifelong consequences, yet there has been little study of subsequent unintentional injuries after SCI onset. We have collected data on unintentional injuries among people living in the community ...
Although the physical outcomes associated with SCI have been widely studied, the psychological consequences of sustaining a SCI remain less explored. Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is a well-researched and highly effective treatment for PTSD across multiple traumas. However, early intervention with Brief PE for PTSD prevention among people post SCI ...
Past studies have identified excessive cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk after SCI. In the 2016-2021 SCIMS cycle, four SCIMS centers led by the SFSCIMS: 1) explored early CMD risks and 2) examined whether SCI stakeholders were aware of these risks. Our first manuscript reported a daunting 74% of subjects were ...
Currently, the SCI Model Systems National Database relies on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) to assess and track long-term functional prognosis. However, serious concerns have been raised about the appropriateness of using the FIM in the SCI population. FIM scores are insensitive to differences in function among patients with SCI ...
Robotic exoskeletons provide several advantages over conventional therapy and treadmill robot-based approaches including the potential to decrease the physical burden on therapists and reduce labor costs compared to conventional therapy while achieving similar functional and health outcomes to conventional therapy. In contrast to treadmill robot-based approaches, exoskeletons enable mobility in ...
There are many myths about adaptation to SCI, such as the belief everyone must go through a grief process or everyone gets depressed. We hope to improve how we assist people with SCI by gathering information on what people experience after SCI, what treatments they receive and how they ...
This study will evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed self-management program, Health Mechanics, to develop and improve bowel and bladder management skills among persons with new SCI. Health Mechanics was designed by the study PI, Dr. Michelle Meade, between 2007 and 2009 with funding from the PVA Educational ...
The SCI-FI instrument was designed specifically for persons with SCI, regardless of level or severity of injury. The content of the SCI-FI is based upon an extensive review of the literature, input from patients with SCI, and clinician focus groups, and is grounded within the International Classification of Function, Disability, ...
This is a population study of persons with chronic SCI assessing stakeholder perceived and objectively measured cardio-endocrine disease risks, their change over time, and effectiveness of remediation. The overarching goals of the study are to inform stakeholders with SCI and their health care professionals of the degree of risk sustained ...
The prevalence of overweight/obesity as a cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk determinant following SCI is daunting, ranging from 55% to 83% of the population. A significant shift in body composition within the first year after injury is ultimately associated with diminished work capacity, musculoskeletal decline, pain, ...
Currently there are no standard of care guidelines regarding the clinical management of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in newly injured individuals with SCI, and as such, most clinicians spend a substantial amount of time addressing a multitude of autonomic issues during acute inpatient rehabilitation (AIR). The lack of ...
Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) is a common complication of spinal cord injury (SCI). It has a significant impact on quality of life and is a top rehabilitation priority for patients with SCI. However, little is known about bowel-related quality of life in this population and the factors that influence bowel-related ...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What does the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) do? What is "Knowledge Translation"? What is a "Model System"? How does a center earn the designation "Model System"? How can I find ...
The goal of this project is to look at early predictors in trauma data of later treatment outcomes in traumatic SCI. The project will merge trauma data for each person newly injured with their SCI Model System National Database data. SNERSCIC is a collaborating site. This project involves pulling existing ...
SCI imposes an enormous financial burden on the injured person and their family. There are substantial initial and ongoing healthcare costs as well as lifetime costs due to lost income, family caregiving demands, and the expense of critical services, such as home and transportation modifications, attendant care, prescriptions, and ...
Chronic pain after SCI typically begins within the first 6 months post-injury and remains prevalent over time, affecting as many as 80% of individuals at 25 years post-injury. This secondary condition has a profound impact on all arenas of life, has been associated with depression, unemployment, and reduced quality of ...